The Seven Million Dollar Man

Here we are, on a Thursday in March, one day after the Bengals tendered Antonio Bryant to the richest contract a WR currently owns on our roster. What did he do to deserve it? He was the best Unrestricted Free Agent under 30 on the market. What do I think about this? I have mixed emotions. Why am I writing in questions? Well, I don't know, that will stop right here, though.

Let's go step by step. While hosting Antonio Bryant, they had the option at a more established physical, possession receiver known for his YAC just as much as his yack. I am, of course, talking about the famously infamous Terrell Owens. It has been no secret to those that read my posts that I have been lobbying to those that matter the least about getting TO, but Bengals brass said no, for now at least.

Their #1 option is Antonio Bryant, and for the life of me I dont' know why. I don't know what he did to earn a 4 year $28 million contract when you could have probably gotten Brandon Marshall, a much more established and dangerously more powerful NFL player. I mean, if you want to say that Antonio Bryant is a steak, Brandon Marshall is veal. He's younger, he's better, and he's been chained in Denver for as long as possible making him tender. Yes, it will have cost us a first round pick and maybe more, but when you give Antonio Bryant the same contract through 4 years that Anquan Boldin has, I think you've made a mistake.

And, no, this is not me being a bad fan, or even critical of the move. It improves our position over what Laverneous Coles gives us, but the fact is, we never gave Coles a chance to prove he can do it again. Unless he wanted out, we cut him because of a few drops, granted at some of the most inopportune times. However, our offense went straight downhill when Chris Henry went down because we didn't have deep threats. Although Caldwell is the fastest wide receiver (and maybe player) on our team, he is more of a catch and run guy from the slot. Chad needs someone opposit him who can catch the ball and take extra player or two off of him, and Bryant may be that guy.

Bryant also will be playing with a real WR for only the second time in his life. The first time? His Pro Bowl season as a WR for the Buccaneers with Garcia throwing to him, and Garcia isn't exactly the game breaker that Carson Palmer used to, and should still be able to, be.

But, still, I am lobbying for Terrell Owens on a one year contract. And, while we're at it, I want one more WR signed. Chad Ochocinco deserves an extension. PAY DA MAN! He's earned it. And get Terrell Owens. Can you imagine a receiving corps of Bryant & Ocho on the outside with Owens over the middle and Benson-Scott-Leonard running? The offense should, nay, would, be back to the elite form.

And since I'm a draft kind of guy, I will say that this eliminated WR before the 3rd round, and only in the 3rd round if a great guy falls to us here. Mardy Gilyard, I'm sorry, but you are probably leaving Cincinnati unless you're there for our picking in the 3rd round. It also means that Jerome Simpson's on his 9th life as a Cat right now. Hopefully that life will make him the superstar Brown & Co. thought he'd be.

And while I'm plugging myself, check out my latest mock draft, and I'll have a new one up for you all within the next 10-15 days as free agency cools down.